Satisfactory Growth Research Articles

Fertility Status of Selected Agricultural Soils Along Major Roads in Nasarawa Eggon and Doma Areas of Nasarawa State, North Central, Nigeria

Soil nutrient status determines its crop productivity and provide basis for appropriate soil management. The soil samples which spread across the agricultural farms along major roads in Nasarawa Eggon and Doma areas of Nasarawa State, Nigeria; were analyzed for both physical and chemical properties. Most of the studied Nasarawa Eggon and Doma soils were extremely acidic. Textural class showed high sand content (>80) of the investigated soils, indicating possible high rate of water infiltration in these soils which will lead to their low water holding capacity. The organic carbon (OC) contents in both locations, were rated high as it varied from 1.50 to 1.85 %, whereas total nitrogen (TN) levels ranged from 0.07 to 0.21 % in the studied soils. The levels of available P, Ca, K and Mg were inadequate for satisfactory plant growth, considering their respective critical level established for Nigerian soils. Mineral analysis showed the presence of essential elements such as S, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Co, Mo and Zn. Beneficial/functional elements such as Ti, V, Rb and Sr, were found in significant quantities in the investigated soils of both studied areas. Thus, Potential K and Ca deficiency could be greatly compensated by Rb and Sr uptake. The quantities of non – beneficial elements such as Sn, Sb, Te, Cs, Ba and Sc were significant in soils from Nasarawa Eggon but were insignificant in Doma soils. Thus, this study revealed that nutrient content of the soil differs from the nutrient availability for plant uptake and the fertility of investigated soils in both locations depended on the soil pH and textural class. Also, the conditions of the soils at both studied locations, are unfavourable for plant uptake of certain important nutrients and could lead to low crop yields if there is no effective nutrient and soil management.

Desempenho agronômico de cultivares de trigo para safrinha no Planalto de Santa Catarina, Brasil

O aumento na produção brasileira de trigo para suprir a demanda interna do cereal está associado ao aumento da área de cultivo em regiões ou épocas historicamente pouco exploradas. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar o desempenho produtivo de cultivares de trigo para cultivo em safrinha na região do Planalto Catarinense. O experimento de campo foi conduzido entre os meses de fevereiro e junho de 2018. Cinco cultivares de trigo (BRS 264, BRS 394, BRS Parrudo, Tbio Audaz e Tbio Sonic) foram semeadas em 14 de fevereiro e 01 de março. Os parâmetros morfológicos das plantas foram determinados no período de antese. No período de maturação, foram determinados os componentes da produção e produtividade de grãos. Adicionalmente, determinou-se a duração do período entre emergência e florescimento e entre florescimento e maturação das plantas. A cultivar BRS Parrudo não apresentou desenvolvimento satisfatório para cultivo em safrinha, com sintomas de anomalias na formação da espiga. As demais cultivares estudadas apresentaram crescimento e produção de grãos satisfatória para a semeadura realizada em 14 de fevereiro.

Effects of dietary carbohydrate levels on growth, body composition, and gene expression of key enzymes involved in hepatopancreas metabolism in mud crab Scylla paramamosain

This study estimated the effects of different dietary carbohydrate levels on growth performance, feed utilization, body composition, and the gene expression of key enzymes involved in hepatopancreas lipogenesis and glucose metabolism in mud crab Scylla paramamosain. Crabs with an initial mean weight of 1.84 ± 0.06 g were used in an 8-week experiment to test five diets (C6, C12, C18, C24, C30) formulated to contain increasing levels of carbohydrate, measured as 8.55%, 13.36%, 17.76%, 25.64% and 32.50%, respectively. The results showed that the levels 25.64% and 32.50% improved growth performance, with the best gains at 25.64%. The highest dietary carbohydrate level led to higher hemolymph glucose concentrations and more fat deposition in the body. Furthermore, real-time quantitative PCR analysis revealed that the mRNA expression of key enzymes in glycolytic and lipogenic metabolism (i.e. glucokinase, fructose-2,6-diphosphatase, and fatty acid synthetase) were significantly affected by the dietary carbohydrate level. The mRNA expression of glucokinase was lowest in the group fed the carbohydrate-rich C30 diet, and the mRNA of fructose-2 and 6-diphosphatase were remarkably expressed in the C24 group (P < .05). The mRNA expression of fatty acid synthase at the dietary carbohydrate levels 32.50% and 25.64% were respectively 10-fold and 5-fold greater than with 8.55% dietary carbohydrate. The overall data suggest that S. paramamosain can be fed 25.64%–32.50% carbohydrate to achieve satisfactory growth performance. A two-slope broken-line regression analysis of weight gain showed that 24.08% dietary carbohydrate would be optimal for this species reared under similar conditions.

Pumpkin seed protein hydrolysate treatment alleviates salt stress effects on Phaseolus vulgaris by elevating antioxidant capacity and recovering ion homeostasis

Pumpkin seed protein hydrolysate (PH) is a biostimulant product that contains high antioxidant activities, peptides and amino acids. This biostimulant is able to improve plant tolerance to abiotic stresses, including salinity. A pot experiment was conducted during summer season of 2018, with the aim of determining growth and productivity, physio-biochemical attributes, and antioxidant system components in salt (3.9 or 7.8 dS m−1 using NaCl)-stressed Phaseolus vulgaris plants treated with PH (1000 or 2000 μL L‒1). Salt stress was applied in irrigation water, and PH was applied three times as foliar application. Under 7.8 dS m−1, Na+ content was significantly increased, however, PH application at 1000 or 2000 μL L‒1 reduced it by 11 or 13%, respectively. The negative impacts of salinity on essential nutrients (e.g., N, P, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+) contents, leaf photosynthetic pigments contents, and tissue health (in terms of relative water content, membrane stability index, and excised leaf water retention) were considerably mitigated by PH application. Increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) content was associated by increases in proline, soluble sugars, and glutathione contents, and antioxidant enzyme activities under salt stress, however, PH application further improved these parameters along with a worthy reduction in MDA content in salt-stressed plants. PH can maintain plant anatomical features, growth and yield measurements, which were disrupted by salt stress. Results of this study recommend the use of PH as foliar application, especially at 2000 μL L‒1 to obtain satisfactory growth and yield of Phaseolus vulgaris plants grown under salt stress up to 7.8 dS m−1.

Body coloration, carotenoid content, spermatophore quality and biochemical parameters by effect of temperature in the caridean shrimp Neocaridina davidi (Atyidae)

AbstractThis study analysed the effects of three temperatures (20, 24 and 28ºC) on survival, body coloration, carotenoid content, body weight, biochemical composition and spermatophore quality in the shrimp Neocaridina davidi. In all treatments, survival was &gt;90%. Female body coloration and total carotenoid content, for both males and females, did not statistically differ among treatments. Female weight was similar for the three temperatures, while male weight was higher at 20ºC and 24ºC. Total lipid content was higher in female and male shrimps raised at 20ºC. Total protein content was higher in females exposed at 28ºC, but in contrast, males showed the lowest value at the same temperature. The histological and histochemical analyses of the male reproductive system did not reveal differences among treatments. At 20ºC, a delay in ovaries maturation was observed, as well as a smaller amount of ovigerous females at the end of the experimental period. Hence, these results suggest that a temperature range from 20ºC to 28ºC is adequate for satisfactory growth, with no change being exerted on spermatophore quality, body female coloration or carotenoid content, but biochemical composition was affected. Nevertheless, the lowest temperature had a clear impact on the metabolism and reproduction of N. davidi.

Digestive Potential of Soybean Agro-Industry Byproducts.

Simple SummaryThis manuscript addresses the use of nutritional alternatives: that the addition of soybean hull levels affect protein and carbohydrate fractionation, with significant changes in rumen degradability; that most of the analyzed variables were affected linearly, so levels of additive inclusion resulted in the satisfactory growth of rumen microorganisms and synchronism between the protein and carbohydrate digestion rates; and that these had an important effect on the end products of fermentation and on animal production. This is significant because animals fed diets showing these characteristics can better express their animal performance. The results obtained in this study indicate that the addition of intermediate levels of soybean hulls close to 20–30% ensures better characteristics in the silage of Brachiaria decumbens.This study aimed to determine the protein and carbohydrate fractions as well as the in situ rumen degradability of Brachiaria decumbens silage (BDS) supplemented with soybean hulls. Five soybean hull inclusion levels were used: 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40% of the fresh matter of B. decumbens grass, distributed into a completely randomized design with five replications. The inclusion of soybean hulls caused a linear decrease (p < 0.001) in carbohydrate fractions A + B1 and a linear increase (p < 0.001) in carbohydrate fraction C. The percentage of non-protein nitrogen fraction increased linearly (p < 0.001), but the nitrogen fractions B1 + B2 and B3 presented a negative quadratic effect (p < 0.01) with soybean hull level and fraction C presented a linear decrease (p < 0.001). The dry matter (DM) degradability of soluble fraction (A) and the undigestible DM decreased linearly (p < 0.01) with the soybean hull level. The potentially degradable water-insoluble portion (DM fraction B) and degradability rate (c) of the DM fraction B increased linearly (p < 0.001) with soybean hull level. The crude protein (CP) fraction A presented a linear increase (p < 0.001) with soybean hull inclusion; however, soybean hull levels caused a linear decrease (p < 0.001) in the CP level of fraction B. The degradable insoluble fraction of NDF (D) of the silage increased linearly (p < 0.001) and the indigestible NDF fraction of the silage was linearly decreased with the soybean hull level (p < 0.001). The inclusion of intermediate levels (20–30%) of soybean hulls provided better protein and carbohydrate fractions and better quality of BDS.

Children and young adults with anophthalmia and microphthalmia: Diagnosis and Management.

Congenital anophthalmia (A) and microphthalmia (M) are rare developmental defects, which could be isolated or syndromic. Our objective was to describe a cohort of children and young adults with A/M treated with ocular prosthesis, emphasizing clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. Eighteen individuals (10 female) with unilateral A (n=3) and M (n=15) with a mean age of 9.5years (range 0.8-31.8) and treated with ocular prosthesis were included. Data on medical history, clinical examinations and management of ocular prosthesis were collected. Genetic screening with microarray and whole-exome sequencing targeting 121 A/M-related genes was performed. A/M appeared isolated (seven cases) or as part of a syndromic condition (11 cases). In 4/16 patients, mutations were detected in TFAP2A, CHD7, FOXE3 and BCOR-genes. In one patient, a possibly causal microdeletion 10q11 was shown. Associated ocular anomalies such as cataract and cysts were found in 16 (89%) of the A/M eyes, and in nine (50%) ophthalmological findings were found in the fellow eyes. The median ages at which the conformer and ocular prosthesis first were initiated were 7.8months and 1.5years. 16/17 patients fulfilled satisfactory orbital growth and cosmetic results when treated with ocular prosthesis from an early age. Based upon our findings, a multidisciplinary approach, including genetic assessment, is necessary to cover all aspects of A/M. Imaging, ultrasound and visual evoked potentials should be included. Early management is crucial for the outcome, in terms of non-ocular findings, vision in the fellow eye, and for facial cosmetic development.

Effect of dietary supplementation with full-fat silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) chrysalis meal on growth performance and meat quality of Rhode Island Red × Fayoumi crossbred chickens

The objective was to study the effect of the partial substitution of soybean meal and oil with full-fat silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) meal (SWM) in the diet of growing chickens, on their growth and meat quality traits. A total of 195 1-day-old chicks of both sexes were allocated to 15 littered floor pens and assigned to three dietary treatments (5 replicates/treatments) until 8 weeks of age: a commercial diet (Control) and other two diets with an inclusion of either 25% (SWM25) or 50% (SWM50) SWM. At 8 weeks of age, two males/replicates were slaughtered and carcases dissected to compute yields. Pectoralis major muscle was subjected to pH and L*a*b* colour values, proximate composition and fatty acid profile analysis. All chickens showed satisfactory growth performance throughout the trial, with the best growth being observed in the SWM25 group. Carcase traits remained unaffected by the dietary treatment, but SWM25 chickens had a higher breast yield (p < .05) than the Control group. The pH of SWM50 breasts was higher than Control (p < .01). Dietary treatments affected meat protein content, differing between SWM25 and SWM50 (22.2 versus 23.3%, respectively; p < .05). SWM dietary inclusion increased n-3 PUFA and lowered the n-6 PUFA proportions in a level-dependent manner. Consequently, n-6/n-3 ratio diminished, thus improved, with the dietary SWM inclusion. Results showed that it is possible to partly substitute soybean meal/oil with SWM in the diet of chickens, ensuring satisfactory performance and carcase traits, and providing meat with a healthier n-6/n-3 ratio. Highlights Silkworm (Bombyx mori) chrysalis is a possible sustainable feed ingredient for growing chickens, alternative to conventional soybean. The dietary inclusion of silkworm full-fat meal in chicken diets provided satisfactory growth performance, carcase and meat quality traits. The dietary inclusion of full-fat silkworm meal in chicken diets enriched meat lipids with omega-3 fatty acids.

Effect of diets on carotenoid content, body coloration, biochemical composition and spermatophore quality in the “red cherry” shrimpNeocaridina davidi(Caridea, Atyidae)

In aquarium industry trade markets, Neocaridina davidi, the “red cherry” shrimp, is one of the most attractive ornamental shrimps due to the striking reddish coloration of females. Five commercial diets formulated for ornamental species were evaluated over a 90-day period in N. davidi males and females, based on survival, biochemical composition, body weight, carotenoid content and body coloration. Furthermore, histological and histochemical analyses of the male reproductive system were performed to evaluate the spermatophore quality. In all treatments, survival was >80%, and protein content was similar in both female and male shrimps. Lipid content was higher in females and males fed on a diet having the highest lipid level. Carotenoid content was higher and body coloration was brighter in females and males fed on a diet containing the highest carotenoid level. Histological and histochemical analyses of the spermatophore structure and composition showed no differences among diets, suggesting that the five commercial diets are adequate for satisfactory growth and spermatophore quality of N. davidi. The diverse sources and quantities of carotenoids in the highest carotenoid level diet render it more suitable for colour enhancement of this species.

Layer-by-layer assembly of polymers and anisotropic nanomaterials using spray-based approach

Abstract

Invitro evaluations of free radical assisted microwave irradiated polyacrylamide grafted cashew gum (CG) biocompatible graft copolymer (CG-g-PAM) as effective polymeric scaffold

The study is mainly focused on the synthesis of polyacrylamide grafted cashew gum (CG-g-PAM) biocompatible graft copolymer as polymeric scaffold for tissue growth by free radical assisted microwave irradiation method using varying quantities of redox initiator ammonium persulfate (APS) for synthesis of CG-g-PAM graft copolymer and final copolymer was precipitated in presence of excess of acetone to remove the homopolymer and other unreacted monomer and byproducts. Percentage grafting efficiency (%GE) was selected as the optimization parameter for best grade. Various analytical techniques like fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) studies were utilized for analyzing optimized grade GFS-3 The inserted grade GFS-3 in mice model showed satisfactory tissue growth over it ensuring biocompatibility along with evidences of nontoxicity on local tissue as well as on major organs like liver and kidney upon oral administration respectively. Moreover, GFS-3 was found to be hemocompatible in presence of mice blood.

International gestational age-specific centiles for umbilical artery Doppler indices: a longitudinal prospective cohort study of the INTERGROWTH-21st Project

BackgroundReference values for umbilical artery Doppler indices are used clinically to assess fetal well-being. However, many studies that have produced reference charts have important methodologic limitations, and these result in significant heterogeneity of reported reference ranges.ObjectivesTo produce international gestational age-specific centiles for umbilical artery Doppler indices based on longitudinal data and the same rigorous methodology used in the original Fetal Growth Longitudinal Study of the INTERGROWTH-21st Project.Study DesignIn Phase II of the INTERGROWTH-21st Project (the INTERBIO-21st Study), we prospectively continued enrolling pregnant women according to the same protocol from 3 of the original populations in Pelotas (Brazil), Nairobi (Kenya), and Oxford (United Kingdom) that had participated in the Fetal Growth Longitudinal Study. Women with a singleton pregnancy were recruited at <14 weeks’ gestation, confirmed by ultrasound measurement of crown–rump length, and then underwent standardized ultrasound every 5±1 weeks until delivery. From 22 weeks of gestation umbilical artery indices (pulsatility index, resistance index, and systolic/diastolic ratio) were measured in a blinded fashion, using identical equipment and a rigorously standardized protocol. Newborn size at birth was assessed using the international INTERGROWTH-21st Standards, and infants had detailed assessment of growth, nutrition, morbidity, and motor development at 1 and 2 years of age. The appropriateness of pooling data from the 3 study sites was assessed using variance component analysis and standardized site differences. Umbilical artery indices were modeled as functions of the gestational age using an exponential, normal distribution with second-degree fractional polynomial smoothing; goodness of fit for the overall models was assessed.ResultsOf the women enrolled at the 3 sites, 1629 were eligible for this study; 431 (27%) met the entry criteria for the construction of normative centiles, similar to the proportion seen in the original fetal growth longitudinal study. They contributed a total of 1243 Doppler measures to the analysis; 74% had 3 measures or more. The healthy low-risk status of the population was confirmed by the low rates of preterm birth (4.9%) and preeclampsia (0.7%). There were no neonatal deaths and satisfactory growth, health, and motor development of the infants at 1 and 2 years of age were documented. Only a very small proportion (2.8%–6.5%) of the variance of Doppler indices was due to between-site differences; in addition, standardized site difference estimates were marginally outside this threshold in only 1 of 27 comparisons, and this supported the decision to pool data from the 3 study sites. All 3 Doppler indices decreased with advancing gestational age. The 3rd, 5th 10th, 50th, 90th, 95th, and 97th centiles according to gestational age for each of the 3 indices are provided, as well as equations to allow calculation of any value as a centile and z scores. The mean pulsatility index according to gestational age = 1.02944 + 77.7456*(gestational age)–2 – 0.000004455*gestational age3.ConclusionWe present here international gestational age-specific normative centiles for umbilical artery Doppler indices produced by studying healthy, low-risk pregnant women living in environments with minimal constraints on fetal growth. The centiles complement the existing INTERGROWTH-21st Standards for assessment of fetal well-being.

Получение и фитохимический скрининг каллусных и суспензионных культур клеток вздутоплодника сибирского Phlojodicarpus sibiricus (Steph. ex Spreng.) К.-Pol.

Callus and suspension cell cultures have been obtained from aseptic seedlings of Siberian bloat fruit (Phlojodicarpus sibiricus), a producer of coumarins. P. sibiricus callus cultures were characterized by white-yellow coloration, a combination of loose and dense cell aggregates, and satisfactory growth. The dry biomass growth index for cultures of leaf, hypocotyle or root origin was 7-9, 10-12 and 11-13, respectively. Suspension cell cultures were initiated from calluses of leaf and hypocotyle origin; these cultures were also white-yellow and consisted mainly of cell aggregates of the meristem-like and parenchyma-like types with different aggregation degrees depending on the origin. Cell viability during the growth cycle was at the level of 70-80%. In contrast to the original callus cultures, the suspension culture of leaf callus origin had the highest growth characteristics (growth index of about 10). Preliminary phytochemical screening by UPLC ESI MS showed the presence of khellactone-group coumarins in the biomass of P. sibiricus primary calluses (1st-3rd growth cycle) and suspension cultures derived from them. Sibirian bloat fruit, Phlojodicarpus sibiricus, callusogenesis, suspension cell culture, coumarins The works on obtaining and growing P. sibiricus cells, as well as studying their growth characteristics were financed by the Russian Scientific Foundation grant no. 74-00097. The study of phytochemical characteristics of P. sibiricus cell cultures was supported by the state assignment of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia (FSRG-2020-0019).

Growth and biomass production of prickly pear in the second cycle irrigated with treated domestic sewage

This study aimed to evaluate, in the second cycle, the growth and production of ‘Orelha-de-elefante Mexicana’ prickly pear (Opuntia sp.) under complementary irrigation with treated domestic sewage. The experiment was carried out in the Milagre Settlement, municipality of Apodi-RN, Brazil, from June 2016 to February 2017. Five treatments were evaluated, corresponding to four irrigation frequencies (2.3, 7.0, 14.0 and 21.0 days) to apply an effluent depth of 3.5 mm, and the control, rainfed cultivation (without irrigation). The experimental design was randomized blocks, with four replicates. After preliminary-primary treatment, the domestic sewage showed acceptable chemical and physical characteristics for fertigation under the conditions adopted in the prickly pear cultivation. 234 days after the 1st cut in the plants, the following morphometric characteristics were measured: plant height and length, width, perimeter, thickness and number of primary and secondary cladodes, and biomass accumulation. Complementary irrigation with treated domestic sewage effluent applied at intervals of 2.3, 7.0, 14.0 and 21.0 days allowed satisfactory growth and production of ‘Orelha-de-elefante Mexicana’ prickly pear; without irrigation, its development was substantially hampered during the dry period. Complementary irrigation with 3.5 mm of domestic sewage effluent applied at intervals of 2.3, 7.0 and 14.0 days led to highest growth and biomass accumulation in ‘Orelha-de-elefante Mexicana’ prickly pear.

Treated domestic effluent as a source of water and nutrients in the hydroponic cultivation of ornamental sunflower

The use of treated domestic effluent in agriculture is important not only as a source of water but also as a source of nutrients for crops. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate its use for the production of ornamental sunflower cv. ‘Anão de Jardim’ in a bench-type low cost hydroponic system, inferring on its technical feasibility and observing the possible impacts on the crop. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse adopting a completely randomized design with four treatments (T1 - nutrient solution of Furlani 100%, prepared in municipal supply water - control), T2, T3 and T4 - nutrient solution of Furlani, respectively, with 100, 75 and 50% strength, prepared in treated domestic effluent and six replicates, totalizing 24 experimental units, each consisting of 15 plants. All treatments met the nutritional requirements of the plants and presented adequate contents of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in leaf and stem at harvest leading to satisfactory plant growth and produced acceptable commercial grade chapters and stems. The plants under treatment T4 although produced chapters of commercial quality but exhibited great variability in comparison to the other treatments, therefore except this treatment any other treatment can be used for hydroponic production of ornamental sunflower utilizing treated domestic effluents.

High nitrogen rates do not increase canola yield and may affect soil bacterial functioning

AbstractNitrogen fertilization has a fundamental role in agricultural productivity. However, injudicious N applications to crops are common. It is important to ensure the minimum N required for satisfactory crop growth is applied but that excess amounts are avoided due to potential impacts on agroecosystem functioning. Nitrogen at 0, 60, and 150 kg ha–1 was applied as limestone ammonium nitrate to plots arranged in a randomized complete block design, on three farms to determine the impact of rate and temporal distribution of fertilizer on canola (Brassica napus L.) production in South Africa, and the effect of N fertilizer application on the composition and diversity of soil bacterial communities. The amount and distribution of N had only minor effects on canola growth (P &lt; .05) and no effects on yield or harvest index. Splitting fertilizer into two or three applications throughout the season resulted in more mineral N available in the soil later in the season. Increasing the N rate from 60 to 150 kg ha–1 had a significant impact on bacterial community composition. The lower rate favored bacteria that are more able to break down N‐containing C sources. No effects of fertilizer amount or distribution were observed on either N fixation potential (number of nifH gene copies) or bacterial community diversity. Overall, a low rate of N fertilizer split into multiple applications is recommended for canola production, as higher rates do not increase yield and may have a detrimental impact on soil C and N cycling.

Effects of dietary vegetable oils on growth, lipogenic enzyme activities and tissue fatty acid composition of Heterobranchus longifilis

Abstract Feasibility of total replacement of fish oil (FO) with vegetable oils (palm oil (PO) and soybean oil (SO)) in practical diet for Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings was evaluated. Six iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets were prepared. Control diet (A) used FO as the lipid source, diets B–F contained various blends of palm and soybean oils. Fish were fed to apparent satiation twice daily for twelve weeks. No significant (P &gt; 0.05) differences were observed for feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio or specific growth rates among dietary treatments. Activities of glucose-6-phospate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and malic enzyme (ME) were significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher in fish fed diet C (1.5 % PO). Generally, hepatic G6PDH activity was about 3-4 times higher than ME activity in fish fed the experimental diets. The tissue fatty acid (FA) profiles in fillet and liver reflected the dietary FA compositions. However, the concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were higher in fish tissue (fillet and liver) than in the diets. Results from the present study indicate that replacement of fish oil with vegetable oil resulted in satisfactory growth and body composition characteristics in Heterobranchus longifilis. Compared with soybean oil, palm oil is relatively cheap and readily available; therefore, diet F (6 % PO) is recommended for use in H. longifilis diet.

Using New Micro Grafting Techniques in Grape

Micro-grafted Egyptian grapes were evaluated under in vitro conditions. In vitro Flame seedless cv. scions were grafted on Freedom rootstock shoots. Two methods were used for micro-grafting; alginate matrix and rhizogenic calli. Fluorescein stain was used to sap transport detection through vessels of both scion and rootstock. Biochemical and molecular analyses were used to evaluate successful micro-grafts. Obtained results showed that, In vitro derived shootlets had satisfactory growth. The culture of derived explants formed a successful graft union by alginate matrix (75%) compared to rhizogenic calli (50%) grown shootlets maintained by some roots and leaves formation. There was a significant difference between the two methods in forming a successful graft union and the subsequent growth-related traits. Grafted explants were tested to salinity stress of NaCl: CaCl2 1000, 2000 and 3000 ppm. The shoot and root related growth characteristics of the alginate matrix micro grafts were more tolerant to salinity than rhizogenic calli. However, raising salinity level led to growth decrease but alginate plantlets continued forming leaves. RAPD- PCR analysis cleared genetic changes in graft union area reflects a complete scion- rootstock combination, also a hereditary relationship with both was detected and proved micro-grafting success with the two methods. To sum up, micro-grafting is a suitable alternative propagation tool leading to higher growth potential of grafted plants and improving their ability to tolerate different stresses.

ANALYSIS OF THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE PRESCRIBED AND THE ADMINISTERED DIET TO PRETERM INFANTS USING AN ELECTRONIC TOO

ABSTRACTObjective: To create an electronic instrument in order to analyze the adequacy of the preterm infants’ nutritional therapy, checking the difference between the prescribed and the administered diet.Methods: A prospective and observational study on newborns with birthweight ≤1,500g and/or gestational age ≤32 weeks, without congenital malformations. The electronic instrument was developed based on Microsoft Excel 2010 spreadsheets and aimed at automatically calculating body weight gain, calories and macronutrients received daily by each patient from parenteral nutrition, intravenous hydration and enteral feedings. The weekly means of each nutrient were used to compare the prescribed and administered diets.Results: To evaluate the instrument, 60 newborns with a birth weight of 1,289±305 g and a gestational age of 30±2 weeks were included. Of them, 9.6% had restricted growth at birth and 55% at discharge. The median length of stay was 45±17 days. There were significant differences between prescribed and administered diet for all of the macronutrients and for total calories in the first three weeks. The lipid was the macronutrient with the greatest percentage error in the first week of life.Conclusions: The use of a computational routine was important to verify differences between the prescribed and the administered diet. This analysis is necessary to minimize calculation errors and to speed up health providers’ decisions about the nutritional approach, which can contribute to patients’ safety and to good nutritional practice. Very low birth weight infants are extremely vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies and any reduction in macronutrients they receive may be harmful to achieve satisfactory growth.

Compensatory growth response of freshwater prawn(Macrobrachium rosenbergii) polycultured with Indian major carp, Catla (Catla catla)

With a view to evaluate the compensatory growth response, production and survival of prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) and catla (Catla catla) under polyculture system, an experiment was conducted at the Faculty of Fisheries Field Laboratory in Bangladesh Agricultural University campus from 20 March 2006 to 20 June 2006. The experiment was consisted of three treatments with three replications for each. The three treatments were: fed to satiation twice a day (T1), fed every alternate day (T2) and fed every two days of interval (T3). SABINCO prawn feed was used as supplementary diet for the experiment. The stocking densities for prawn and catla were 40/dec. and12/dec., respectively. The initial weights at stocking were: 50 g for catla in all the treatments, and 5.8, 6.4 and 6.2 g for prawn in T1, T2 and T3, respectively. The water quality parameters were almost similar in all treatments and also were within an acceptable range of fish culture. The survival rate for catla was 100.0% in T1, 91.6% in T2 and 83.3 % in T3, while for prawn was 85.0% in T1, 71.0% in T2 and 69.0% in T3, respectively. The average weight of prawn was much lower in T3 and T2 than those in T1. The best FCR value was found in T2 (1.80) followed by T3 (1.85) and T1 (1.98) in this order. The average highest gross yield was obtained from T1 (1656kg/ha) followed by T2 (1077kg/ha) and T3 (1127kg/ha), while the production of prawn was T1 (791kg/ha), T2 (517kg/ha) and T3 (429kg/ha), respectively. However, no significant differences were found in the total yield in T2 and T3. The total costs of production for the three treatments were: T1 (125.93Tk/kg), T2 (143.21Tk/kg) and T3 (146.71Tk/kg), while the profits were: T1 (104.07Tk/kg), T2 (55.86Tk/kg) and T3 (24.60Tk/kg) in which the benefit cost ratio were found to be 1:0.83, 1:0.39 and 1:0.17, respectively. The results indicate that every day feeding had provided good growth and economic returns and thus seemed to be most practicable and viable feeding options for prawn-fish polyculture. Therefore, prawn-fish polyculture with regular feeding provides satisfactory growth and production.